Trolling device



NOV. 25; 1941. J c LA CHANCE 2,264,211

TROLLING DEVICE Filed June 29, 1940 INVENTOR Joseph Cgr// La C/zanc ATTORNEV Patented Nov. 25, 1941 v umrso Cil same time, it starts it darting in the opposite.

direction which movement is urther aided by the rearward end as the body continues to roll over in the new direction.

a central axis extending perpendicuiarly thereto.

When the device is darting in one direction, the

enlarged ends of the flutes on one side thereof more or less scoop up water and direct it inwardly and rearwardiy against the ear l6 of the opposite side to change the direction of movement until the ends of the flutes on the other side begin to scoop up water. This action is not sufficient to change the courseof the device but mereiy creates a Wobble in addition to the rolling and darting actions. When the flutes direct water against the ear which is moving downwardiy at the time, this naturaily tends to aid the downward movement thereof. When a fish seizes the device in its mouth, its teeth drop into the flutes and thus tends to prevent the device from siipping out of its mouth. At the same time, the flutes direct the fish back towards the hook.

The V-shaped cross section of the greater portion of the body prevents the device from tuming over when it is not being drawn through the water. When the device stops, it relis siightiy back and forth about its longitudinal axis and graduaily sinks to the bottom.

The water rushes aiong the longitudinal groove M so that it acts as a pivot around which the device relis. Furthermcre, the rib l3 strengthcns the device without the necessity of increasing the thickness of the material.

The hook hangs downwardly from the rear of the spoon and as the latter roiis, the hook swings in the opposite direction so that it swings back and forth like a penduium. In this way, the point of the hook always points forwardly at the bottom of the spoon, and consequently it catches a striking fish in the lower jaw where it is relatively soit.

This trolling device may be used as a flasher or a spoon. As a flasher, it is drawn ahead of a spoon of any desired type, such as one made according to the present invention, in order to attract fish. As a spoon, it is used with or without a suitable flasher and the hook is attached to its rearward end in the manner described.

The flutes I! have a further purpose and that is they cause the device t0 quiver as it is drawn through the water. This quivering is due to the fact that at least some of the flutes lie more or less across the path of travei so that the water striking the uneven top and bottom surfaces of the device creates a certain amount of vibration.

Various modifications may be made in this invention without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the claims and, therefore, the exact forms shown are to be taken as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense, and it is desired that only such limitations shall be placed therecn as are disclosed in the prior art or are set forth in the accompanying ciams.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A trolling device comprising an eiongated body having a central ridge extending longitudinaiiy thereof, said body sloping downwardly from the ridge towards each side throughout the greater portion of its length, a fin bent downwardly at each corner of the forward end, a tail formed at the rearward end f the body extending upwardiy therefrom at an angle thereto, and an upwardiy projecting ear formed at each corner of the rearward end of the tail.

2.,A.trcliing device comprising an eiongated body which is relativeiy narrow at its forward end and graduaily widens towards its rearward end,a; plurality of spaced flutes formed in the upper surface of each side of the body, said flutes extending inwardly and rearwardly from the sides of the body, a fin bent downwardly at each corner of the forward end: and a. tail formed at the rearwardend of the body extending upwardly therefrom at an angle thereto.

3. A trolling device comprising an eiongated body having a central ridge extending longitudinally thereof, said body sloping downwardly from the ridge towards each side throughout the greater portion of its -length, a plurality of spaced semi-conical flutes formed in the upper surface of each side of the body, said flutes extending inwardlygand rearwardly from the sides of the body towards the ridge, a fin bent downwardiy at each corner of the forward end, and a tail formed at the rearwardgend of the body extending upwardly therefrom;atan angle thereto.

4. A trolling device comprising an eiongated body which is relativeiy narrow at its forward end and graduaiiy widens towards its rearward end, a fin bent downwardly at each corner of the forward end, a taii formed at the rearward end of the body extending upwardiy thererom at an angle thereto, and an ear formed at each corner of the rearward end of the tail and projecting upwardiy therefrcm.

5. A troliing device comprising an eiongated body having a;central ridge extending longitudinally thereof, said body sloping downwardly from:the ridge towardseach side throughout the greater portion of its length, a fin bent downwardly at each corner of the forward end, a taii formed at the rearward end of the body extending upwardiy therefrom at an angle thereto, and an upwardiy projectng ear formed at and extending diagonaily of each corner of the rearward end of the tail.

6. A troilingdevice comprising an eiongated body having a central ridge extending longitudinaily tlreof, said body slcping downwardiy from the ridge towards each side throughout the greater portion of its length, a plurality of spaced semi-conicai flutes formed in. th upper surface of each side of the body, said flutes extending inwardly and rearwardiy from the sides of the body towards the ridge, a fin bent downwardly at and extending diagonaiiy of each corner of the forward end, a tail formed at the rearward end of the body extending upwardiy therefrom at an angle thereto, and an upwardiy projecting ear formed at and extending diagonaily of each corner of the rearward end ,of the tail.

7. A troiiing device comprising an eiongated body which is relatiVeiy narrow at its forward endand gradually widens towards its rearward end, said body having a central rib in its upper surface extending longitudintily thereof and sloping downwardly from the rib towards each side throughout the greater portion of its length, said rb forming a. groove in the lower surface of the body, a plurality of spaced semi-conical fiutes formed in the upper surface of each side of the body, said fiutes extending inwardly and rearwardly from the sides of the body towards the rb, a fin bent downwardly a1: and extending diagonalIy of each corner of the forward end, a tail formed at the rearward end of the body extending upwardly theretrom at an angle thereto, and an upwardly projecting ear formed ai; and extending diagonally of each corner of the rearward end of the tail.

JOSEPH CYRIL LA CHANCE. 

